Simultaneous Determination of 25 Ginsenosides by UPLC-HRMS via Quantitative Analysis of Multicomponents by Single Marker.

A method using UPLC-HRMS has been developed for a rapid, simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of twenty-five ginsenosides. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C analytical column with an elution gradient comprising 0.1% aqueous formate/acetonitrile as the mobile phase. HRMS detection acquired full mass data for quantification and fullms-ddms (i.e., data-dependent scan mode) yielded product ion spectra for identification. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of multiginsenosides by single marker (QAMS) was developed and validated using a relative correction factor. Under optimal conditions, we could simultaneously separate eight groups of isomers of the 25 ginsenosides. Good linearity was observed over the validated concentration range for each analyte (  > 0.9924), showing excellent sensitivity (LODs, 0.003-0.349 ng/mL) and lower limit quantification (LOQs, 0.015-1.163 ng/mL). The LC-MS external standard method (ESM) and QAMS were compared and successfully applied to analyze the ginsenoside content from roots. Overall, our UPLC-HRMS/QAMS approach provides high precision, stability, and reproducibility and can be used for high-throughput analysis of complex ginsenosides and quantitative analysis of multiple components and quality control of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM).